Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*
Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol
Already have an account?
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Politics and Government
Jon Collins

Interim commissioner to lead Minneapolis' public safety efforts

Like this?

Log in to share your opinion with MPR News and add it to your profile.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has named an interim Community Safety Commissioner to succeed Cedric Alexander, who resigned after less than a year in the newly-created position.

Man in Black suit and bowtie
Lee Sheehy was appointed on Friday to serve as interim Public Safety Commissioner in Minneapolis.
City of Minneapolis

Lee Sheehy will temporarily lead Minneapolis' Office of Community Safety while a permanent hire is made. The commissioner leads the city's public safety efforts, and is in charge of police, fire, 911, emergency management and neighborhood safety.

Sheehy will start in the role on Sept. 1. He’s currently serving as the interim deputy chief operations officer for the city. He previously served as chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, regional administrator of the Metropolitan Council and chief deputy to Minnesota Attorney General Hubert Humphrey III.

Sheehy said in a statement that it’s “humbling” to serve the city that’s been his home for four decades. He’ll help create a transition plan for the next commissioner.

Mayor Frey said in a statement that a nominee for the office could be announced as soon as early September. He said he’s consulted with dozens of people to get feedback about what they want to see in the position.

“Lee’s career has been defined by leadership, compassion, service, and creative problem-solving,” Frey said in a statement. “I could not be more grateful for his willingness to again answer the call to serve and help move Minneapolis into its next chapter of community safety work.”

Alexander announced that he was retiring in July, less than a year after he was sworn in. He clashed with some council members who opposed his appointment and later engaged in high-profile disputes on Twitter with residents that earned him a reprimand from the mayor.

When Alexander announced his impending departure, Frey credited him for leading a public safety system in transition and presiding over a reduction in serious crime.